KINFRA Mega Food Park Construction in Full Swing

Thiruvananthapuram: The construction of KINFRA Mega Food Park, Palakkad, a sector specific project being set up by KINFRA in accordance with the Mega Food Park Scheme (MFPS) of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI), is progressing well. If things go as per plan, the Park can be commissioned in May 2018, KINFRA officials said. The estimated total project cost is Rs. 119.02 crore, with an assistance of Rs. 50 crore from MOFPI.

As of now, around 60 per cent of the current construction work has been completed. The structure of four-storeyed admin building, which has an area of 4,392.41 sq. m., has been completed. Currently, wall plastering, electrical and fire fighting works are going on. The construction of Standard Design Factory (SDF) building is also progressing as per schedule. The three-storeyed facility will have a total area of 4,374 sq. m. The work of three warehouses at the Park is also progressing well. Each warehouse has an area of 2,545 sq. m.

The project zone for KINFRA Park extends over the region around Palakkad district covering six districts – Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam. The project involves setting up of a Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) in an area of about 79.42 acres at Elapully and Pudussery villages near Walayar in Palakkad. Besides, four Primary Processing Centres (PPCs) with infrastructure facilities for undertaking pre-processing activities are being set up at KINFRA Parks in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Wayanad. The CPC and PPCs would be supported by about 15 Collection Centres (CCs) in the project zone for facilitating convenient collection of raw materials from farmers.

The units coming up in the Park are expected to be engaged in production of value-added products from local produce – coconuts, spices, fruits and vegetables, cashew, paddy etc. The developed land in the CPC would be allotted as ready-to-use plots to prospective entrepreneurs/investors from the food processing sector under a 30-year long lease, which is renewable for further periods up to a maximum of 90 years. The land would be allotted against payment of a one-time land lease premium. About 41.26 acres of land is available for allotment in the Park.

In addition to this, small enterprises can hire space in the SDF for ‘plug and play’ model of business operations. Built-up space is available on lease for a period of 10 years against payment of monthly rent and security deposit equivalent to rent for 12 months. There would be an increment of 12 per cent every two years. At the end of the lease period, the lease of the built-up space can be renewed for a further period.